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RBI's new Deputy Governor

At 42 years old and a three-year tenure, Viral Acharya is the youngest deputy governor to be appointed by the RBI post-liberalization.

Background

About Viral Acharya

Viral Acharya grew up in South Mumbai in a family full of medical practitioners.

He attended college in the year 1991, memorable for the then Finance-Minister Manmohan Singh's budget speech.

Acharya stood fifth in the joint entrance exam of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and graduated in computerscience.

He received a PhD in finance at NYU's Stern School of Business in 2001.

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Ex-RBI Governor

Viral Acharya and Raghuram Rajan

Viral Acharya and former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan have shared close association.

Together, they have authored half a dozen papers including one on "Sovereign Debt, Government Myopia and the Financial Sector" in 2013.

They both have been strong advocates of the independence of central banks, favouring them to be "democratically accountable, yet be operational independent from political influence."

Similarities

Acharya and Rajan's common ground

Viral Acharya and Raghuram Rajan both have come from academic backgrounds.

They're both alumni of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and both are Computer Science and Engineering graduates.

Both of them switched to finance and economics later and also share passion when it comes to cricket.

Raghuram Rajan is mentioned as a reference in Viral Acharya's resume.

Role Model

Idolizing Raghuram Rajan

Acharya was once asked by a co-passenger on a flight whether he was 'Raghu Rajan' as his notes contained the words 'crisis' and 'banks'.

On recalling the incident, he said, "That was the day when I realized if I have Raghu as my role model and I hit 5% or 10% of that, I can easily pass off as a poor man's Raghu Rajan."

Strengths

Viral Acharya's specializations

According to Viral Acharya's profile on the New York University website, he is known for his research in theoretical and empirical analysis of systemic risks of the financial sector, its regulation and genesis in government-induced distortions.

His research areas also cover credit and liquidity risks, agency-theoretic foundations as well as their general equilibrium consequences.

On his appointment

Viral Acharya said, "I am honoured to be given the chance to join the Reserve Bank of India as deputy governor and I look forward to the opportunity. Beyond that it is premature to say anything."